Mouth ulcers on the tongue are small, round, painful sores with a white-yellow centre and a red edge. They most often appear on the sides of the tongue, on the tip or underneath it, where the lining is thinnest. Small ulcers usually fade on their own within 7 to 14 days. Until then, soft foods, a soft brush, SLS-free toothpaste and gargling with a gentle mouthwash, for example one made with smoke tree, can help. If a sore does not go away within 2 weeks, keeps growing or does not hurt, show it to a doctor.
Table of contents
What mouth ulcers on the tongue are and why they hurt so much
An ulcer is a shallow, round or oval sore on the lining of the mouth. Its centre is white or yellowish, with a thin red halo around it. When it appears on the tongue, people usually search for ‘mouth ulcer on tongue’ or ‘white sore on tongue’, because they feel it before they even see it.
The tongue is the most mobile muscle in the mouth. It takes part in every word, every bite and every swallow, and it constantly touches the teeth. That is why mouth ulcers on the tongue hurt more than the same sore on the cheek: the wound is rubbed and irritated hundreds of times a day.
In this article we talk only about the tongue: where exactly ulcers appear, how to tell them from other sores and how to soothe the area. The general causes of mouth ulcers, from stress to food, are covered in a separate article.
Mouth ulcer on the tip of the tongue, on the sides or underneath: what the location suggests
Ulcers appear on soft, non-keratinised lining. On the tongue these are the sides, the tip and the underside. The top of the tongue is covered by a denser layer, and true ulcers are rare there.
Where on the tongue, and what to check
The location does not give a diagnosis, but it suggests where to start: if sores keep coming back in the same place, first look for what rubs or burns it.
Mouth ulcer or another sore on the tongue: how to tell them apart
Not every painful spot is an ulcer. Several kinds of sores on the tongue look similar in the mirror. Here are the most common ones and how to recognise them.
5 things that are mistaken for an ulcer
Important: only a dentist or doctor can say for certain what a sore is. If something on the tongue does not hurt, feels hard to the touch, bleeds or does not go away within 2 weeks, do not wait and do not rely on home care alone.
How to soothe mouth ulcers on the tongue at home: care day by day
The aim of home care is simple: keep the sore from being irritated while it fades. These steps make the days with a mouth ulcer on the tongue more bearable.
Routine for a mouth ulcer on the tongue
What helps and what irritates an ulcer
- a soft brush and SLS-free toothpaste
- gargling with an alcohol-free mouthwash
- lukewarm, soft foods
- enough water and sleep
- citrus fruit, tomatoes, vinegar
- chilli, salty foods, nuts, crisps
- very hot drinks
- mouthwash with strong alcohol
To read more about how smoke tree mouthwash fits into a daily hygiene routine, see the article smoke tree water for oral hygiene.
SLS-free toothpaste and smoke tree mouthwash for mouth ulcers on the tongue
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a foaming agent found in many toothpastes. It has been studied in connection with mouth ulcers in several clinical studies. A systematic review from 2019 concluded that for people with recurring ulcers, SLS-free toothpaste may mean less pain and shorter episodes. That is why, with mouth ulcers on the tongue, the composition of the toothpaste matters.
Smoke tree is a Bulgarian herb that has been used for gargling for generations. Its leaves contain natural tannins, which give the tightening feeling in the mouth. You can read more about the herb in the article smoke tree: benefits for the skin, gums and feet.
How to choose a mouthwash for sensitive and bleeding gums, read in the article Mouthwash for Gums: How to Choose.
What is in the toothpaste and the mouthwash
A Bulgarian herb with an astringent feel that soothes and freshens the mouth. In the toothpaste, and as a hydrolat in the mouthwash.
A natural mineral solution from Lake Pomorie, rich in magnesium and calcium.
Supports the balance of beneficial bacteria in the mouth, that is, the oral microbiome.
Hydrolina mouthwash is a hydrolat obtained by steam distillation of wild smoke tree, free from alcohol, parabens and artificial fragrances.
Ina Dent-All natural toothpaste is free from fluoride, sulphates (SLS), artificial colourings and fragrances, and has a natural mint taste. Its foam is moderate, which makes it gentle on the sensitive lining under the tongue. It is suitable for the whole family, including pregnant women and children over 3. We told the story of how the Ralchevi family created the toothpaste in the article the Bulgarian toothpaste with smoke tree.
Wild Smoke Tree Mouthwash - Hydrolina is a hydrolat: the pure water phase from the steam distillation of the herb, not water with an added extract. It leaves a pleasant tightening feeling and soothes an irritated mouth. Why all our herbal waters are hydrolats is explained in the article did you know that all our floral waters are hydrolats.
Buy 3 Ina Dent-All toothpastes, get a smoke tree mouthwash free
The bundle contains 3 natural Ina Dent-All SLS-free toothpastes and one Wild Smoke Tree Mouthwash - Hydrolina, which you get free. If you are caring for the whole family, choose the option with 4 toothpastes and 2 mouthwashes.
Here is what our customers who use them for daily mouth care have to say:
“I'm absolutely delighted with both the toothpaste and the mouthwash. After just a few days, my gums stopped being so sensitive and bleeding. Would highly recommend it! ❤️”
“I really like the toothpaste. I love the taste and how fresh my mouth feels after using it. I'm using the mouthwash too. They're brilliant. Thanks a million. I'd definitely recommend them.”
“I've really seen an improvement with the bleeding gums, and the colour of them is changing too, so it's definitely on the mend. We use it along with our toothpaste. It has a lovely taste and leaves your mouth feeling fresh after rinsing. Doesn't dry out your mouth like the usual stuff you get in the chemist. [...]”
“This toothpaste is so good and effective, me and the family are absolutely hooked on it now! ❤️❤️❤️ It's become our favourite toothpaste, hands down, forever. 🙂❤️ The paste is amazing, it makes such a thick, rich lather that brushing your teeth turns into a proper pleasure, and after brushing, you feel fresh and clean for hours. [...]”
When a mouth ulcer on the tongue is a reason to see a doctor
Most mouth ulcers on the tongue are harmless and pass on their own. However, there are signs that mean home care is not enough and a dentist or doctor should examine you.
Go for a check-up if
- ✓the sore does not go away within 2 weeks;
- ✓it is bigger than 1 cm or growing;
- ✓it does not hurt, feels hard to the touch or bleeds;
- ✓many ulcers appear at once, or they return almost every month;
- ✓you have a fever, severe tiredness, a rash or swollen lymph nodes;
- ✓you cannot eat and drink enough, especially in children.
Frequent ulcers are sometimes linked to a shortage of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid, to hormonal changes or to other conditions that are clarified with tests. You will find the full list of causes in the article the top 7 causes of mouth ulcers.
Frequently asked questions about mouth ulcers on the tongue
How long does a mouth ulcer on the tongue last?
Is a mouth ulcer on the tongue contagious?
Can toothpaste irritate an ulcer under the tongue?
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About the InaEssentials family
InaEssentials is a Bulgarian family brand for natural and organic cosmetics. The family has over 25 years of experience in growing essential-oil crops on its own fields, and its products combine centuries-old tradition with the modern and the innovative. A closed production cycle is used - the family controls the whole process, from planting to production and bottling, to ensure the highest quality.
Gentle care for the tongue and gums
Buy 3 Ina Dent-All SLS-free toothpastes and get a Wild Smoke Tree Mouthwash free.
Get the offerSources and important information
- Scully C, Porter S. Oral mucosal disease: recurrent aphthous stomatitis. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2008; 46(3): 198-206.
- Herlofson BB, Barkvoll P. Sodium lauryl sulfate and recurrent aphthous ulcers. A preliminary study. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 1994; 52(5): 257-259.
- Shim YJ, Choi JH, Ahn HJ, Kwon JS. Effect of sodium lauryl sulfate on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Oral Diseases, 2012; 18(7): 655-660.
- Alli BY, Erinoso OA, Olawuyi AB. Effect of sodium lauryl sulfate on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, 2019; 48(5): 358-364.
- Composition and description of the products Ina Dent-All and Wild Smoke Tree Mouthwash - Hydrolina, InaEssentials.
InaEssentials products are cosmetic and are not medicines. The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a consultation with a dentist or doctor. If a sore on the tongue does not go away within 2 weeks, grows, bleeds or comes with a fever, see a specialist. Do not swallow the mouthwash.
This article was created with the help of AI to gather and structure the information, and was then thoroughly reviewed, edited and fact-checked by our team.
